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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

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Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: staff · toast · mouse · ruler · charge · wax · hide · ball

  1. A ________________ helps one to draw a straight line.
  2. What's the best way to remove ear ________________?
  3. We have nothing to ________________ here.
  4. I would like to propose a ________________ on your birthday.
  5. It's hotel ________________. Please let me in.
  6. I thought I heard a ________________ in the kitchen.
  7. The tickets are free of ________________.
  8. The kitten curled into a ________________.
  9. The museum has ________________ figures of famous people.
  10. Jason, who was in ________________ of the project, was dismissed for corruption.
  11. Borders were drawn on the map using a ________________, with no regard for cultural realities on the ground.
  12. The people resisted their cruel ________________.
  13. I like lots of butter on my ________________ in the morning.
  14. The old man leaned on his ________________.
  15. Why are you trying to ________________ your feelings?
  16. Where can I ________________ my mobile?
  17. She was laid on a cow-________________ and covered by a coarse woollen blanket.
  18. "I don't like games like this," squeaked the ________________.
  19. The moon will ________________ and wane.
  20. The King held a masked ________________.
  21. After the show, she was the ________________ of the town.
  22. The office ________________ worked quickly and efficiently to resolve the problem.
  23. Should I buy a wireless ________________?
  24. I was having a ________________ recording these guys.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. ruler — for measuring
  2. wax — in the ear
  3. hide — to keep secret
  4. toast — a drink to someone
  5. staff — employees
  6. mouse — the animal
  7. charge — a price
  8. ball — a round shape
  9. wax — for sculpting
  10. charge — in control
  11. ruler — for measuring
  12. ruler — a monarch
  13. toast — bread
  14. staff — a stick
  15. hide — to keep secret
  16. charge — electricity
  17. hide — animal skin
  18. mouse — the animal
  19. wax — to grow
  20. ball — a dance
  21. toast — the most admired
  22. staff — employees
  23. mouse — for a computer
  24. ball — a great time

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com